June 2016 Steeple Talk - First Congregational ChurchJust about everyone I talk to is saying the same...
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Just about everyone I talk to is saying the same thing: “I thought things were supposed to get quiet in the summer. I’m busier than ever.” I know. Me, too. For example, I can’t believe it’s time for another Steeple Talk, but Pam just told me she’s putting the finishing touches on everything but this part, my part. Hint, hint. We’ve been so busy here in the church. A bunch of us did the walk for Littleton Senior Center’s “Meals on Wheels” program. We had a water station here at the church for people who got thirsty walking. It was great fun and we helped to raise $40,000 for this wonderful organization; $29,000 of which will be used to serve the Littleton area. There are people in our community, quite a lot of people, who depend on Meals on Wheels, not just for food, which is, of course terribly important, but also for human contact. The people who deliver these meals—33,000 of them last year—provide the only human contact many of these people get all day. I’m getting ready right now to go over to Rick’s house to work on some guitar music for our Fun Day in the Park [2-6 p.m., June 18]. Lots of people are gearing up for this exciting event. I have fliers in the back seat of my car to take over the Lakeway Elementary School. We’re sending one out to the parents of every child who attends there. What in the world are we going to do if they all show up!? What a great problem to have!! Some of us are planning to help out with Vacation Bible Camp at the Franconia Community Christian Church [9-2, June 20-24]. If you know some kids—graduated Kindergartners through Junior High—who’d like to have some really great times this summer, playing games, doing science experiments and learning about the wonder of God’s love for us all, call them or call me and I’ll help you get in touch. If you’d like to have a wonderful time yourself, come spend a day, half a day, an hour or two, volunteering. This Saturday [June 4], a few of us are going to Horton Center for a Confirmation Retreat. We have some young people who’ve been learning together, and praying together, and listening together for the still, small voice that will help them decide what direction to go with their faith; and Saturday we’re going to this quiet place out in the beautiful North Country woods for a time of reflection, worship, and celebration. I hope you’ll be praying with us. It’s been wonderful sharing worship with everyone lately. The Spirit of God has lifted our spirits and filled us with hope and purpose and delight. A few of us are sitting down together to look at our bylaws and see if there are more effective ways we can channel our gifts, our talents, our physical resources, our time, so the Spirit can flow more freely through us and into the world around us. Meanwhile, just about everyone I talk to says: “I thought things were supposed to get quiet in the summer. I’m busier than ever.” I know. Me, too. Ain’t it grand! I’m loving it. I hope you are, too. blessings, david Steeple Talk First Congregational Church of Littleton 189 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561 June 2016 PHONE 603-444-3376 FAX 603-444-6589 Volume 44, Issue 6 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.1stconglittleton.org Contents Pastor’s Message 1 June Calendar 2 “Classifieds” 3 Church & 4-12 Community Happenings Upcoming Events June 2 – Personnel Meeting June 3 – SLLC Spring Pageant June 5 – Celebration Sunday June 6 – Ladies Society Salad Supper June 9 – COG Meeting June 11 – Men’s Breakfast June 13 - SLLC Board & CE meeting June 14 – Property Meeting June 17 – SLLC Pre-school Graduation June 18 – Community Day in the (Remich) Park June 20 – Bible Camp Begins June 28 – Eastern Star Meeting Production staff: Pam Nute & Anna Jackman
Transcript of June 2016 Steeple Talk - First Congregational ChurchJust about everyone I talk to is saying the same...
Just about everyone I talk to is saying the same thing: “I thought things were supposed to get quiet in the summer. I’m busier than ever.” I know. Me, too. For example, I can’t believe it’s time for another Steeple Talk, but Pam just told me she’s putting the finishing touches on everything but this part, my part. Hint, hint. We’ve been so busy here in the church. A bunch of us did the walk for Littleton Senior Center’s “Meals on Wheels” program. We had a water station here at the church for people who got thirsty walking. It was great fun and we helped to raise $40,000 for this wonderful organization; $29,000 of which will be used to serve the Littleton area. There are people in our community, quite a lot of people, who depend on Meals on Wheels, not just for food, which is, of course terribly important, but also for human contact. The people who deliver these meals—33,000 of them last year—provide the only human contact many of these people get all day. I’m getting ready right now to go over to Rick’s house to work on some guitar music for our Fun Day in the Park [2-6 p.m., June 18]. Lots of people are gearing up for this exciting event. I have fliers in the back seat of my car to take over the Lakeway Elementary School. We’re sending one out to the parents of every child who attends there. What in the world are we going to do if they all show up!? What a great problem to have!! Some of us are planning to help out with Vacation Bible Camp at the Franconia Community Christian Church [9-2, June 20-24]. If you know some kids—graduated Kindergartners through Junior High—who’d like to have some really great times this summer, playing games, doing science experiments and learning about the wonder of God’s love for us all, call them or call me and I’ll help you get in touch. If you’d like to have a wonderful time yourself, come spend a day, half a day, an hour or two, volunteering. This Saturday [June 4], a few of us are going to Horton Center for a Confirmation Retreat. We have some young people who’ve been learning together, and praying together, and listening together for the still, small voice that will help them decide what direction to go with their faith; and Saturday we’re going to this quiet place out in the beautiful North Country woods for a time of reflection, worship, and celebration. I hope you’ll be praying with us. It’s been wonderful sharing worship with everyone lately. The Spirit of God has lifted our spirits and filled us with hope and purpose and delight. A few of us are sitting down together to look at our bylaws and see if there are more effective ways we can channel our gifts, our talents, our physical resources, our time, so the Spirit can flow more freely through us and into the world around us. Meanwhile, just about everyone I talk to says: “I thought things were supposed to get quiet in the summer. I’m busier than ever.” I know. Me, too. Ain’t it grand! I’m loving it. I hope you are, too. blessings, david
Steeple Talk First Congregational Church of Littleton
189 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561
June 2016 PHONE 603-444-3376 FAX 603-444-6589 Volume 44, Issue 6 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.1stconglittleton.org
Contents
Pastor’s Message 1
June Calendar 2
“Classifieds” 3 Church & 4-12 Community Happenings
Upcoming Events
June 2 – Personnel Meeting
June 3 – SLLC Spring Pageant
June 5 – Celebration Sunday
June 6 – Ladies Society Salad Supper
June 9 – COG Meeting
June 11 – Men’s Breakfast
June 13 - SLLC Board & CE meeting
June 14 – Property Meeting
June 17 – SLLC Pre-school Graduation
June 18 – Community Day in the (Remich) Park
June 20 – Bible Camp Begins
June 28 – Eastern Star Meeting
Production staff: Pam Nute & Anna Jackman
First Congregational Church June 2016
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Pastor’s Office Hours: Wednesday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Music Director’s Hours: Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
2 11:30 AM-AA – FH 6:30 PM – Personnel - CR
3 11:30 AM-AA – FH 5:30 PM – SLLC Spring Pageant - FH
4 7:00 PM-AA-FH
5 CELEBRATION SUNDAY
9:00 AM – Choir Practice
10:00 AM-Worship Service & Communion
10:00 AM – Sunday School
11:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship – LP
6 11:30 AM-AA – FH Pastors' Sabbath 6:00 PM – Ladies Society Salad Supper –FH
7 11:30 AM-AA - FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP
8 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
9 11:30 AM-AA – FH 7:15 PM – COG - LP
10 11:30 AM-AA - FH
11 8:00 AM – Men’s Breakfast – Bolt Residence 7:00 PM-AA-FH
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9:00 AM – Choir Practice
10:00 AM-Worship Service & Baptism
Deacon’s Collection
11:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship – LP
13 11:30 AM-AA – FH 5:30 PM – SLLC Board Pastors' Sabbath
14 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM – Property Committee – FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP
15 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
16 11:30 AM-AA - FH
17 11:30 AM-AA – FH 4:30 PM – SLLC Preschool Graduation – FH
18 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Community Fun Day at Remich Park 7:00 PM-AA-FH
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10:00 AM-Worship Service
20 11:30 AM-AA – FH Pastors' Sabbath Bible Camp at the Franconia Community Church
21 11:30 AM-AA - FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP Bible Camp at the Franconia Community Church
22 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH Bible Camp at the Franconia Community Church
23 11:30 AM-AA – FH Bible Camp at the Franconia Community Church
24 11:30 AM-AA – FH Bible Camp at the Franconia Community Church
25 7:00 PM-AA-FH
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10:00 AM-Worship Service
Food Pantry Collection
27 11:30 AM-AA – FH Pastors' Sabbath Steeple Talk Submissions Due
28 11:30 AM-AA - FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP 7:00 PM-Eastern Star - FH
29 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
30 11:30 AM-AA - FH
KEY: FH – Fellowship Hall LP – Ladies Parlor CR - Classroom
Your Generosity
Strengthen the Church
Special Offering
$618.25
Wanted and Needed
Sunday Ushers and Greeters
Please sign up on the board
Summer Greeters are an important ministry and create a more
welcoming atmosphere for members and visitors
Wireless Guest Account SSID: FCC Guests Password: fcc189main Enjoy!
April 30, 2016 YTD
Member support: $ 50,665
Scheduled w/d from trust funds $ 7,100
Other Income: $ 2,886
Total Income: $ 60,651
Total Expenses: $ 62,321
Net: $ - 1,670
Financial Report
Melissa visits Shining Lights with
new baby Karson!
Men’s Breakfast 8:00 am
June 11 at the Bolt Residence
Emily LaFlam and the Weddingtons walking for Meals-on-Wheels
5/21/2016
Thank You Memorial Day Bell
Ringers!
In observance of the Memorial Procession down Main Street
Food Collection Sunday
June 26, 2016
The Food Cupboard is in need of the following items:
Small containers of condiments. Coffee. Cat
food. Canned fruit. Soups, stews, canned
meat (turkey, chicken, ham, corned beef,
Spam). Canned or boxed (complete) meals.
Thank you!
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“Classifieds and Notices”
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It was a party! Thank you to Reg,
Su S., Amy S., Bill D., the Olearys, Bolts, Fairweathers and
Nutes!
Congratulations to Melissa Kam, Director! Baby Karson was born on April 5th at 12:47pm. He weighed in at 7.2 lbs. and was 18.7 inches long.
Look how he has grown already! Melissa rejoins Shining Lights in June.
Thank you to EVERYONE participating in the FUNDRAISING Calendar Raffle in the Month of May!
Your $10 donation and support means a lot to Shining Lights!
Congratulations Judy Oleary, winner of the $25 Gift Card on 5/7; Kim Smith on5/9 of the Boxcar Caboose $10 gift card, to Jean Kimball on 5/14 of 10 personal pan pizzas at Pizza Hut and
Tim Gould, winner of the $20 Gold House gift certificate on 5/27!
~ $2,250 was raised to buy new Christian curriculum for the fall ~
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Seeking Lead Teacher
Requirement: At least 18 credits in Early Childhood Education
& 1000 hours of experience with children in licensed center.
FCC Shining Lights Learning Center
Call Melissa: 603-444-7379
Friday, June 3rd Spring Pageant!
5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Friday, June 17th Pre-school Graduation
4:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Mission Spotlight
2016 Meals on Wheels Walkathon On Saturday, May 21, 2016, the Littleton Area Senior Center, on behalf of the Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, hosted the fifth annual Meals on Wheels Walkathon. Carole Zangla, Director of the center, reports that preliminary numbers of a little shy of 200 walkers participated, and the agency raised about $40,000, with $29,000 of that being raised in our community and staying in our community!
The Missions Committee teamed up with members of the Community Outreach Group on Saturday morning. Wilma & David Weddington, Judy & Bob Oleary, Pam & Jeff Nute, Tim Gould, Carol Mason and Linda Warden enjoyed starting out with breakfast. Later, they found Alison & Ron Bolt and Emily & Reg LaFlam at the starting line.
Speaking of the starting line, things got a little interesting thanks to the Congregational church when the song, “New York, New York” played on the loud speaker!
Dinner Bell The Mission Committee hosted the last Dinner Bell for our church on May 3rd. A meeting will be held in August to determine the Fall/Spring 2017 hosting schedule. Stay tuned for the new dates! Thank you to Judy Oleary for heading up many wonderful meals, the volunteers who served/cleaned up and to everyone in the congregation who prepared food!
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Tim takes a selfie at the walk!
Church Work Day, May 14, 2016
The Property Committee extends deep appreciation to all who participated in our annual church building clean-up/fix-up day this year. Our volunteers accomplished many important tasks to keep our 186 year old church building in good shape. Think about that – 186 years. It, obviously, takes much repairing, painting, cleaning, refurbishing and love to maintain such a building.
The pictures show some of what we did on Saturday the 14th: A lot of scraping old paint off and applying new paint – including the stairway to the Ladies Parlor entrance, outside window sills on the E side of the sanctuary, black metal railings for the steps leading to the sanctuary doors, outside spot lights shining on the steeples, the sanctuary ramp door and its trim, spot painting on our church sign, and the fire escape exit from the classroom area. We also painted new bright yellow safety strips on the stairs to the Ladies Parlor entrance so they can be more easily seen after dark.
Repair projects included the light pole on the E side of the church (and painting it), the concrete stairs leading to the sanctuary, re-gluing pole covers in the Fellowship Hall, replacing light bulbs in the outdoor spotlights and in the light fixture for the Madonna window (which meant ascending into the bell tower), and straightening the sign on Rt.116 guiding visitors to our congregation.
Cleaning projects included the windows in the hallway leading to the sanctuary, the church entrance to the offices, clearing debris from the drains on our flat roofs, the cover for the digital sign, cleaning all sanctuary pews and cushions, refurbishing the wood floors, and oiling the wood furnishings and sills in the sanctuary!
Whew!! Who did all of this wonderful stuff? Our volunteers: (in alphabetical order) Ken Aldrich, Dudley Bailey, Ron Bolt, Ed Craxton, Tim Gould, Joyce Krill, Emily LaFlam, Reg LaFlam, Bob LeFleur, Estelle LeFleur, Pam Nute, Bob O’Leary, Judy O’Leary, Alice Muh, Dennis Sharpe, David Weddington, and Wilma Weddington. While all of these special projects are important, we also give thanks to our church sexton, Joe Chukinas, who performs many clean-up, set-up, and security issues on a daily basis.
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Who is that “falling out of the ceiling” on work day!?
Sunday School Happenings:
Youth to go on Retreat at Horton Center! Our confirmation teachers, Alice Muh and Mary Menzies are planning a Confirmation/Baptism Retreat to be held on June 4th at Horton Center. This will be a great time for our youth to get away with their teachers and a few other supportive adults from the church to focus on their upcoming decisions to be baptized/confirmed. It should also be lots of fun for teachers and students alike!
CCeelleebbrraattiioonn SSuunnddaayy PPllaannnneedd ffoorr JJuunnee 55tthh!! This year, Sunday School will be going a little later into the Spring than we have in past years! Please join us on June 5th as we celebrate the end of another great year of Sunday School! We will recognize our teachers and students and our students will present the causes they have selected to support through our Mission Pig Fundraiser. Please join us after church for coffee hour to celebrate with us and show your support for our kids!
Baptism/Confirmation Sunday - June 12th
There are not many Sundays when we get to celebrate confirmation or baptisms, never mind the potential of both in one Sunday!! Join us on June 12th as three youth are presented with the opportunity to be baptized and our
Confirmation class is presented with the opportunity to be confirmed. Please plan on joining us for coffee hour as we hope to have lots to celebrate on this special Sunday as well!
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THANK YOU
To everyone who donated towards the RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS effort!
Members of the COG served pizza, salads, water and desserts to the LHS Drama Dept. on Monday, May 2nd at the Opera House during their dress rehearsal. Just another way to show God’s love to those in our community!
Consider joining this fun, dynamic group! Chat with Tim Gould if you have any questions.
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There is one last planning meeting for this event on
Thursday, June 9th at 7:15 pm in the Ladies Parlor.
Please consider taking part in this meeting and event ~ Bring
your family and friends!
A BIG Thank You to Henrietta and Ken Aldrich for hosting the church picnic on May 21st!
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Ladies Society
SALAD SUPPER is Monday night, June 6th at 6pm
Calling ALL Ladies!
Try to get there early so we can begin the supper RIGHT ON TIME AT 6PM in the Fellowship Hall. We'll gather round the table for a prayer and then "dig in." The “swap” follows the meal. This is sponsored by the Ladies Society. We want ALL women to come and get ready for a grand time. Bring a salad and small gift to share. Call Barbara Holland if you have any questions. 444-1104.
Thank you to the Ladies Society who hosted the pot-luck dinner after the North Country Association’s annual Meeting on May 1st!
(The meeting ran long ... it got a little silly waiting for everyone to come down!)
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Mother’s Day flowers being passed out on May 8th
Celebrating Birthdays & Anniversaries
June Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary! 1st Ken Aldrich 3rd Bob Muh 1st Emily & Reg LaFlam 8th Ed Tomashek 9th Ann & Ed Craxton 11th Bonnie Boswell 10th Glenda & Bob Iles 13th Aaron Morton 12th Linda & Bob Warden 16th Rachel Clark 13th Marti Faulkner & Ed Tomashek 18th Virginia Miller 15th Joyce & Phil Krill 21st Janet Doyle 22nd Alice & Bob Muh 22nd Joe Chukinas 23rd Heather & Geoff Krill 27th Sarah Hunt 26th Christine & David Sundman 28th Lauren Dill 28th Dorothy Usher 30th Dottie Morton
July (preview)
1st Joyce Krill 5th Cindy Davis 5th Mark Blodgett 10th Bob Iles 12th Reg LaFlam
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Remember, if you would like your birthday and/or anniversary in the next issue of Steeple Talk; please contact Pam in the office to make sure it is included. If you think we do not have your birthday and/or anniversary on file OR if you would NOT like either to be included, please let Pam know that too! [email protected] or 444-3376.
I apologize in advance for any errors or omissions.
The Deadline for submissions for the July issue is:
Monday, June 27th!
Thank you!
~ Pam Nute, editor
First Congregational Church, UCC 189 Main Street Littleton, NH 03561 Return Service Requested
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STEEPLE TALK JUNE 2016
Steeple Talk A newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Littleton
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Church Staff Pastor: Rev. W. David Weddington Administrative Assistant: Pam Nute Organist & Choir Director: Dottie Morton
Officers Moderator: Ann Craxton Vice Moderator: Lars Nielson Treasurer: Dudley Bailey Assistant Treasurer: Joyce Krill Committee Chairs Christian Education: Kim Smith Deacons: Mary Menzies Finance: Dudley Bailey Mission: Judy Oleary Music: Tina Peabody Personnel Relations: Ann Craxton Property Management: Ed Craxton Overseer of the Trust Funds: Dudley Bailey
Shining Lights Learning Center Board Chair: Suzanne Schott Director: Melissa Kam
www.1stconglittleton.org
